Companion Animals

Dog Tick Prevention and Welfare

Tick-borne diseases including Lyme disease and Babesiosis cause significant suffering in dogs, with prevention through regular tick checks and appropriate preventives essential.

Key Facts

Ticks transmit Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) causing joint pain, fever, and kidney disease
Babesiosis from Babesia canis causes haemolytic anaemia and is emerging in UK dogs
Regular tick checks after walks in tick-risk habitat and prompt removal reduces transmission
Licensed tick preventives including spot-ons and oral chewables provide monthly protection
Transmission typically requires tick attachment for 24-48 hours making prompt removal effective

Welfare Considerations

Tick-borne diseases cause significant suffering that is almost entirely preventable through regular tick checks and preventive treatment. Early removal interrupts transmission effectively.

What You Can Do

Check dogs for ticks after every walk in tick-risk habitat including moorland and woodland
Use a licensed tick remover to extract ticks without squeezing the body
Discuss appropriate tick preventives with your vet for your dog's lifestyle and risk
Learn tick-borne disease signs including fever, joint stiffness, and lethargy